Pear Butter

Pear Butter: A Sweet Memory from 2008

The year was 2008. Our pear trees were laden with fruit, a veritable bounty hanging heavy on their branches. It was an overwhelming abundance, far more than our family could possibly consume fresh. I knew I needed to do something with all those pears, something that would preserve their sweetness and allow us to enjoy them long after the last leaf had fallen. The idea of pear butter, a sweet, spreadable delight, sparked in my mind. It felt perfect – a way to capture the essence of that abundant autumn and share it with loved ones during the upcoming holidays.

My grandchildren, Sadie Jean and Milo, were visiting that November. They’re always eager for an adventure, so naturally, they joined me in the orchard. We spent a lovely afternoon together, picking pears, laughing, and sharing stories. The memory of that crisp autumn air, the feel of the ripe pears in our hands, and the joy of spending time with my grandkids is as vivid today as it was then. It’s more than just pear butter; it’s a treasured memory bottled up and ready to be savored.

Making the pear butter itself was a wonderfully slow process, a perfect counterpoint to the whirlwind of modern life. The gentle simmering in the crockpot, the fragrant steam escaping, the gradual thickening of the pulp – it was all so soothing and satisfying. And the final product? Pure magic. That rich, sweet pear butter, glistening in its jars, was more than just a Christmas gift; it was a tangible representation of love, family, and a year of abundance. Each jar held not only the flavor of perfectly ripe pears but also the warmth of shared memories.

It’s funny how food can do that, isn't it? How a simple recipe can become a vessel for precious moments, a way to connect with family and friends across the years. This pear butter wasn't just a culinary project; it was a story waiting to be told, a story I'm delighted to share with you. I hope that when you make this pear butter, you too will find a way to bottle up your own sweet memories, your own personal harvest of joy.

The sweet taste of autumn. The warmth of family. The simple pleasure of homemade goodness. That’s what this pear butter is all about.

Step-by-step

• Place pears into a large pot over medium heat and add just enough water to cover the bottom so the pot and keep them from sticking, about 1/2 cup. Cook until the pears are soft, about 30 minutes. Press pears through a sieve or food mill and measure out 2 quarts of pulp.
• Pour the pear pulp into a crock pot. Mix sugar, zest, nutmeg and orange juice together until sugar dissolves. Add to pulp and cook on low several hours (8-10) with lids slightly off to allow steam to escape. Stir occasionally during this process. Cook until starting to thicken (mound a spoonful onto a plate, if water separates from the mound it's not done yet).
• Ladle into hot sterile jars, leaving 1/4 inch from top. Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath. Have 1 inch water over tops of jars.